Methods for translating and reading optical disks

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for reading optical disks. Some implementations are particularly well suited for automatically playing both sides of a dual-sided optical disk. By coordinated delivery of disks between a disk reader, a disk transfer mechanism, or a disk turner and a carrousel that is approximately toroid shaped, both sides of a dual-sided optical disk can be automatically accessed.

The present application a con't of prior U.S. application Ser. No.09/200,320, filed Nov. 25, 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,603,715).

RELATED APPLICATION

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/199,768 (now U.S. Pat. No.6,587,405) entitled “LINEAR OPTICAL DISK CHANGER WITH SIDE SWITCHINGCAPABILITIES,” filed Nov. 25, 1998, contains related subject matter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed toward an apparatus and method forautomatically accessing both sides of an optical disk.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Data of various types is recorded on and accessed from optical disks.Common optical disks include compact disks (CDs), CD-ROMs, digitalversatile disks (DVDs), digital video disks (also abbreviated DVDs), orother similar disks. Some optical disks, such as DVDs, may be eithersingle-sided or dual-sided. With conventional optical disk changers, adual-sided optical disk must be manually “flipped” between sides inorder to read data from both sides of the disk.

Three general types of optical disk changers capable of storing andreading multiple disks are known. In the first type, a number of disksare positioned coplanar to one another and radially about a centerrotation point on a carrousel. To read any one disk, the carrousel isrotated until the desired disk is positioned adjacent to the diskreader. To read another disk, the present disk is disengaged from thereader and the carrousel is rotated to position another disk adjacent tothe disk reader. However, such optical disk changers read only one sideof a disk. Thus, operator intervention is required to flip the disk toallow the disk reader to read the opposite side of the disk.

The second type of multiple disk changer stores optical disks in a stackwith the center of each disk coaxial with the centers of the otherdisks. A disk to be read is rotated or translated out from the stack andengaged by a disk reader. Just as with the first type of multiple diskchanger, the changer can read only one side of a disk unless the disk ismanually flipped by a user.

The third type of multiple disk changer stores optical disks radiallyabout a center rotation point on a carrousel, but with the rotationalaxis of each optical disk perpendicular to the axis of rotation of thecarrousel. The resulting geometry of the plurality of stored disks is atoroid or “donut” shape. A disk from the carrousel is read by ejectingthe disk from the carrousel into a disk reader. Examples of this thirdtype of multiple disk changer are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,519,055, 5,067,116, 5,235,579, 5,615,184, 6,671,196, 5,719,725, and5,754,502. These changers can only read one side of the optical diskunless the user manually flips the disk.

Therefore, although the prior art is capable of storing a large numberof optical disks, the prior art does not provide an apparatus or methodfor reading both sides of a optical disk without manual operatorintervention. Consequently, there is a need for an apparatus and methodfor automatically reading both sides of an optical disk by effectivelyflipping a dual-sided disk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention is an optical disk changer for reading afirst and a second side of an optical disk. The disk changer includes: abase; a carrousel rotationally coupled to said base for receiving,holding, and delivering the optical disk; and an optical disk readerattached to said base within said carrousel. The optical disk reader hasa first loading mechanism on a first side of said reader and a secondloading mechanism on a second side of said reader. The first loadingmechanism loads the optical disk when the first side of the optical diskis read and the second loading mechanism loads the optical disk when thesecond side of the optical disk is read.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method of translating anoptical disk having a first side and a second side. The method includesholding the optical disk in a carrousel. If data from the first side ofthe optical disk is to be read, then the optical disk is translated to alocation within the carrousel in a first direction. If data from thesecond side of the optical disk is to be read, then the optical disk istranslated to the location in a direction opposite to the firstdirection.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method of reading data from anoptical disk comprising: holding the optical disk in a carrousel;delivering the optical disk from the carrousel to a location within thecarrousel by translating the optical disk in a first direction; readingdata from a first side of the optical disk; delivering the optical diskfrom the location to the carrousel by translating the optical disk inthe first direction; rotating the carrousel; loading the optical diskfrom the carrousel to the location within the carrousel by translatingthe optical disk in the first direction; and reading data from a secondside of the optical disk.

Another embodiment of the invention is an optical disk changer forreading a first and a second side of at least one optical diskcomprising: a base; a carrousel rotationally coupled to said base forreceiving, holding, and delivering at least one optical disk; an opticaldisk reader attached to said base outside of said carrousel; and atransfer mechanism coupled to said base within said carrousel. Thetransfer mechanism has a first loading mechanism on a first side of saidtransfer mechanism for loading the optical disk into said transfermechanism and a second loading mechanism on a second side of saidtransfer mechanism for loading the optical disk into said carrousel.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of reading data froman optical disk comprising: holding the optical disk in a carrousel; ifdata from the first side of the optical disk is to be read, thendelivering the optical disk to an optical reader and reading the data;and if data from the second side of the optical disk is to be read, thendelivering the optical disk to a transfer mechanism along a firstdirection, delivering the optical disk to the carrousel along the firstdirection, delivering the optical disk to the optical reader, andreading the data.

Still another embodiment of the invention is an optical disk changer forreading a first and a second side of an optical disk comprising: a base;a carrousel rotationally coupled to said base for receiving, holding,and delivering the optical disk; an optical disk turner rotationallycoupled to said base within said carrousel for turning the optical disk,said turner having a first loading mechanism on a first side of saidturner and a second loading mechanism on a second side of said turner,the first loading mechanism for loading the optical disk into saidturner and the second loading mechanism for loading the optical diskinto said carrousel after said turner has been rotated relative to saidcarrousel; and an optical disk reader attached to said base outside ofsaid carrousel for reading the first side of the optical disk, and forreading the second side of the optical disk that has been turned by saidoptical disk turner.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method of reading data from anoptical disk comprising: holding the optical disk in a carrousel; ifdata from the first side of the optical disk is to be read, thendelivering the optical disk to an optical reader and reading the data;and if data from the second side of the optical disk is to be read, thendelivering the optical disk to a turning mechanism, rotating the opticaldisk, delivering the optical disk to the carrousel, delivering theoptical disk to the optical reader, and reading the data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of an optical disk changer with a diskreader within the disk carrousel.

FIG. 2 is a top isometric view of an optical disk changer with atransfer mechanism within the disk carrousel.

FIG. 3 is a top isometric view of an optical disk changer with a diskturner within the disk carrousel.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of reading data from anoptical disk.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of translating an opticaldisk.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of reading data from anoptical disk.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of reading data from anoptical disk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward an optical diskchanger that is capable of automatically playing both sides of adual-sided optical disk. The optical disk played may be a CD, CD-ROM,DVD, or any other such optical disk. In one embodiment of the invention,a carrousel is employed to receive, hold, and deliver optical disks toan optical disk reader located in the center of the carrousel. Anotherembodiment of the invention positions a reader adjacent to thecarrousel, but outside of the center of the carrousel. This embodimentuses a stationary transfer mechanism to pass optical disks through thecenter of the carrousel. Still another embodiment of the invention alsoplaces the reader adjacent to, but outside of the carrousel. Thisembodiment uses an optical disk turner to turn and direct disks todesired slots of the carrousel.

Description of the First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows an optical disk changer 101 for reading a first and asecond side of an optical disk 2. A base 3 supports a carrousel 4.

Carrousel

As shown in FIG. 1, the carrousel 4 is rotationally coupled to the base3. The carrousel 4 has slots for holding optical disks radially about acenter rotation point of the carrousel. The walls of these slots shouldbe of sufficient stiffness so that they properly support the opticaldisks. In some embodiments, walls of the slots are of constantthickness. In such embodiments, the slots would not be of constantthickness. In other embodiments, the slots are of constant thickness. Insuch embodiments, the thickness of the walls along the inner diameter ofthe carrousel 4 would be less than the thickness of the walls along theouter diameter of the carrousel 4. Exemplary slots are shown as slots13, 17, and 19. As is evident from FIG. 1, the carrousel 4 stores disksradially about a center rotation point of the carrousel with therotational axis of each optical disk substantially perpendicular to theaxis of rotation of the carrousel 4.

The carrousel 4 may also include locating surfaces along the bottom ofthe slots (not shown). These locating surfaces properly position anoptical disk that is received by a user or a disk reader. In addition,the locating surfaces also keep an optical disk that is being held in acarrousel 4 from exiting a slot in the carrousel 4 when the carrousel 4rotates. Further, these locating surfaces provide a precise position foran optical disk that is to be delivered to a disk reader. Locatingsurfaces are known in the art.

The carrousel 4 may be constructed from a variety of materials. However,it may be optimal to mold the carrousel 4 from plastic.

Optical Disk Reader

Referring again to FIG. 1, an optical disk reader 105 is shown. As shownin FIG. 1, the optical disk reader 105 is located “within” the carrousel4, i.e., at least a portion of the disk reader 105 is located in thevolume defined by the inner edges of the slots of the carrousel 4. Theoptical disk reader 105 includes conventional sensors and electronicsfor reading an optical disk. In addition, the reader 105 includes afirst loading mechanism 106 that is located on a first side of thereader 105. The first loading mechanism 106 may be formed by twosubstantially parallel cylinders that cooperatively rotate to move theoptical disk.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first loading mechanism 106 alsoincludes a first ejector arm 10. The first ejector arm 10 may rotate ina bearing or retaining clip about its lower end to push a disk out ofthe slot 13 and into the grasp of the substantially parallel cylindersof the first loading mechanism 106. Alternatively, the first ejector arm10 may rotate about its upper end or may even be coupled to a mechanismthat translates the entire ejector arm 10. In addition, otherconventional loading mechanisms may be used. Any loading mechanism thatloads the disk 2 from the carrousel 4 into the reader 105 with orwithout use of an ejector arm will suffice.

The disk reader 105 also contains a second loading mechanism 107 on thesecond side of the disk reader 105. This loading mechanism is similar tothe first loading mechanism. Similar to the first ejector arm 10, asecond ejector arm 12 cooperates with the second loading mechanism 107to load an optical disk from the second side of the disk reader 105.

Method of Operating the First Embodiment of the Invention

One embodiment of the invention is a method of reading data from anoptical disk. This method, which is shown in FIG. 4, may be performed bythe disk changer 101 shown in FIG. 1. First, an optical disk that isbeing held in a carrousel is delivered from the carrousel into a readerwithin the carrousel by translating the disk in a first direction.

Next, data from a first side of the disk is read. After data from thefirst side of the disk is read or upon operator command, the disk isunloaded from the reader and delivered to the carrousel by translatingthe disk in the first direction. In some embodiments, the carrousel isrotated one hundred eighty degrees so that the optical disk is deliveredinto the slot in the carrousel that originally held the disk. In otherembodiments, the disk is delivered to another empty slot in thecarrousel. The carrousel is then rotated. In some embodiments, thecarrousel will be rotated one hundred eighty degrees. Next, the disk isloaded from the carrousel to the reader by translating the optical diskin the first direction.

Then, data from the second side of the optical disk may be read. Afterdata from the second side of the disk is read or upon operator command,the disk is unloaded from the reader and delivered in the firstdirection from the location within the carrousel back into the carrouselby the second disk loading mechanism.

Another Method of Operating the First Embodiment of the Invention

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. In thisembodiment, an optical disk is held in a carrousel. If data from thefirst side of the optical disk is to be read, then the carrousel isrotated to align the disk with the first transfer mechanism. Then, theoptical disk is delivered to the disk reader by translating the disk ina first direction. After reading the data on the first side of the disk,the disk may be delivered to the carrousel by translating the disk in adirection opposite to the first direction.

On the other hand, if data from the second side of the optical disk isto be read, then the carrousel is rotated to align the disk with thesecond transfer mechanism. Then, the optical disk is delivered to thedisk reader by translating the optical disk to the disk reader in adirection opposite to the first direction. After reading the data on thesecond side of the disk, the disk may be delivered to the carrousel bytranslating the disk in the first direction.

Description of the Second Embodiment

FIG. 2 shows an optical disk changer 201 for reading a first and asecond side of an optical disk 2. As in the first embodiment, a base 3supports a carrousel 4. The base and carrousel of the second embodimentare substantially identical to the base and carrousel described in thefirst embodiment.

Optical Disk Reader

An optical disk reader 8 is positioned adjacent to the carrousel, butoutside of the carrousel. The optical disk reader 8 includesconventional sensors and electronics for reading an optical disk. Inaddition, the reader 8 includes a loading mechanism 9 that is located ona side of the reader 105 adjacent to the carrousel. The loadingmechanism 9 may be formed by two substantially parallel cylinders thatcooperatively rotate to move the optical disk.

The loading mechanism 9 may also include an ejector arm (not shown) thatoperates from within the carrousel 4 to push a disk out of the slotshown as slot 19 and into the grasp of the substantially parallelcylinders of the loading mechanism 9. The ejector arm is similar to theejector arms 10 and 12 described in the first embodiment above. Inaddition, other conventional loading mechanisms may be used. Any loadingmechanism that loads the disk 2 from the carrousel 4 into the reader 8with or without use of an ejector arm will suffice.

Transfer Mechanism

The second embodiment uses a stationary transfer mechanism 205 to passan optical disk through the center of the carrousel 4. The transfermechanism 205 has a first loading mechanism 206 that is similar inconstruction to the first loading mechanism 106 of the first embodimentand a second loading mechanism 207 that is similar in construction tothe second loading mechanism 107 of the first embodiment. The transfermechanisms of the embodiment specifically described here differ fromthose of the first embodiment in that they function to pass an opticaldisk 2 only in a first direction.

Just as with the first embodiment, the first ejector arm 10 may be usedto push a disk 2 from a slot of the carrousel 4 and position the disk ina position to be loaded by the first loading mechanism 206. As with thefirst embodiment, any loading mechanism that loads the disk 2 from thecarrousel 4 into the transfer mechanism 205 with or without use of anejector arm will suffice.

Method of Operating the Second Embodiment of the Invention

Another embodiment of the invention is a method of reading data from anoptical disk. This method, which is shown in FIG. 6, may be performed bythe disk changer 201 shown in FIG. 2. If data from the first side of theoptical disk that is held in the carrousel is to be read, the opticaldisk is delivered to the optical reader. This delivery may beeffectuated by rotating the carrousel to align a disk with the loadingmechanism of the reader then translating the disk into the reader. Atthis point, the data from the first side of the disk may be read. Afterreading, the disk may then be returned to the carrousel.

If data from the second side of the optical disk is to be read, thecarrousel is rotated so that the disk is adjacent to the first loadingmechanism of the transfer mechanism. The disk is delivered in a firstdirection to the transfer mechanism. The disk can then be held in thetransfer mechanism until the carrousel is rotated to align a desiredslot with the second side of the transfer mechanism. The disk is thendelivered to the carrousel by employing the second loading mechanism todeliver the disk to the carrousel in the first direction. Subsequently,the carrousel is rotated to align the disk with the reader. The disk canthen be loaded and data on the second side of the disk can be read.

Description of the Third Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows an optical disk changer 301 for reading a first and asecond side of an optical disk 2. As in the second embodiment, a base 3supports a carrousel 4 and an optical disk reader 8. The base,carrousel, and optical disk reader of the third embodiment aresubstantially similar to the base, carrousel, and optical disk readerdescribed in the second embodiment.

Optical Disk Turner

The optical disk turner 305 includes a first loading mechanism 306 and asecond loading mechanism 307 that are similar to the first loadingmechanism 206 and the second loading mechanism 207 of the secondembodiment. However, the optical disk turner 305 is capable of rotatingabout its center vertical axis relative to the base 3 and the carrousel4.

Method of Operating the Third Embodiment of the Invention

Still another embodiment of the invention is a method of reading datafrom an optical disk. This method, which is shown in FIG. 7, may beperformed by the disk changer 301 shown in FIG. 3. If data from thefirst side of the optical disk is to be read, the disk is delivered tothe reader and played as described in the method of the secondembodiment above.

However, if data from the second side of the disk is to be read, thecarrousel is rotated to align the disk with the first loading mechanismof the disk turner. The disk is then delivered to the turning mechanismby translating the disk in a first direction. The disk is then rotatedby the disk turner. Next, the disk is delivered to the carrousel bytranslating the disk in a direction opposite to the first direction.Subsequently, the carrousel is rotated to align the disk with thereader. The disk can then be delivered to the reader and the reader canread data on the second side of the disk.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, various modification may be made without deviating fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is notlimited except as by the claims.

Advantages of the Invention

An advantage of some embodiments of the present invention is that theyprovide for fully automatic reading of dual-sided optical disks. As anincreasing number of optical disks contain data on both sides of thedisk, the need for automatic reading of both sides of a disk will beaccentuated. For instance, a dual-sided DVD that is not automaticallychanged would require operator intervention at the end of the playing ofthe first side before the balance of the video could be viewed.

Another advantage of the invention is that with an identical storagevolume the invention enables access by any automated device to twice asmuch digital information. To be truly automated, an automated opticaldisk device must necessarily be able to access all of the data stored onthe disks within the automated system. With prior technology, dual-sideddisks could not be accessed without operator intervention. Thus, forautomatic operation, single-sided disks would be required. Therefore,with the present invention, half as much storage volume is required toeffectively operate an automated optical disk device.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of translating an optical diskcomprising: (a) translating the optical disk from a carrousel to a diskreader along a first direction by delivering the optical disk from thecarrousel to a first loading mechanism at a first side of the diskreader, the first loading mechanism driving the disk into the diskreader with a first side of the oitical disk in a first orientation withrespect to the disk reader; and (b) with the first side of the opticaldisk in the first orientation with respect to the disk reader,translating the optical disk from the disk reader to the carrousel alongthe first direction with a second loading mechanism at a second side ofthe disk reader.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising translatingthe optical disk from the carrousel to the disk reader along the firstdirection with the first loading mechanism, wherein the optical disk isin a second orientation with respect to the disk reader and the secondorientation is different from the first orientation.
 3. The method ofclaim 2 further comprising rotating the carrousel after translating theoptical disk in the first orientation from the disk reader to thecarrousel and before translating the optical disk in the secondorientation from the carrousel to the disk reader.
 4. A method ofreading data from an optical disk comprising: (a) holding the opticaldisk in a carrousel; (b) delivering the optical disk from the carrouselto a first loading mechanism at a first side of a disk reader; (c)driving the optical disk in a first direction with the first loadingmechanism to a location within the carrousel with a first side of theoptical disk in a first orientation with respect to the disk reader; (d)reading data from the first side of the optical disk; (e) with the firstside of the optical disk in the first orientation with respect to thedisk reader, delivering the optical disk from the location to thecarrousel by driving the optical disk in the first direction with asecond loading mechanism at a second side of the disk reader; (f)rotating the carrousel; (g) delivering the optical disk from thecarrousel to the first loading mechanism at the first side of the diskreader; (h) driving the optical disk in the first direction with thefirst loading mechanism to the location within the carrousel with afirst side of the optical disk in a second orientation, which differsfrom the first orientation, with respect to the disk reader; and (i)reading data from a second side of the optical disk.
 5. The method ofclaim 4 wherein rotating the carrousel comprises rotating the carrouselabout a vertical axis.
 6. A method of translating an optical disk havinga first side and a second side comprising: (a) holding the optical diskin a carrousel; (b) if data from the first side of the optical disk isto be read, then translating the optical disk to a reading locationwithin the carrousel in a first direction via a first loading mechanismon a first side of a disk reader; and (c) if data from the second sideof the optical disk is to be read, then translating the optical disk tothe same reading location in a direction opposite to the first directionvia a second loading mechanism on a second side of the disk reader.
 7. Amethod of translating an optical disk comprising: holding a dual-sidedoptical disk in a carrousel; positioning the optical disk adjacent afirst side of a disk reader; driving the optical disk into the diskreader via a first loading mechanism adjacent the first side of the diskreader; reading the first side of the optical disk with the disk readerwith the first side in a first orientation with respect to the diskreader; and with the first side in the first orientation with respect tothe disk reader, driving the optical disk out of the disk reader via asecond loading mechanism adjacent a second side of the disk reader andreceiving the optical disk in the carrousel.
 8. The method of claim 7wherein the first loading mechanism and the second loading mechanismdrive the optical disk in the same direction.
 9. The method of claim 7wherein the carrousel has a plurality of slots, the optical disk beingheld in a first one of the slots.
 10. The method of claim 9 furthercomprising rotating the carrousel after driving the optical disk intothe disk reader to position the carrousel to receive the optical diskfrom the disk reader in the first slot.
 11. The method of claim 7wherein the carrousel is rotationally coupled to a base and the diskreader is positioned within the carrousel, the carrousel receiving theoptical disk from the second loading mechanism at a locationdiametrically opposite the location where the disk is positionedadjacent the first side of the disk reader.
 12. The method of claim 7further comprising, after receiving the optical disk in the carrouselfrom the second loading mechanism: rotating the carrousel to positionthe optical disk adjacent the first side of the disk reader; driving theoptical disk into the disk reader via the first loading mechanism; andreading the second side of the optical disk with the disk reader. 13.The method of claim 7 further comprising, after receiving the opticaldisk in the carrousel from the second loading mechanism: rotating thecarrousel to position the optical disk adjacent the first side of thedisk reader; driving the optical disk into the disk reader via the firstloading mechanism; and reading the second side of the optical disk withthe disk reader with the first side in a second orientation, whichdiffers from the first orientation, with respect to the disk reader. 14.A method of translating an optical disk comprising: holding a dual-sidedoptical disk in a carrousel, the optical disk having a first side and asecond side; determining whether the first side or the second side ofthe disk is to be read; and if the first side of the optical disk is tobe read: positioning the optical disk adjacent a first side of a diskreader; driving the optical disk in a first direction to a readinglocation within the disk reader via a first loading mechanism at thefirst side of the disk reader; and reading the first side of the opticaldisk with the disk reader; or if the second side of the optical disk isto be read: positioning the optical disk adjacent a second side of thedisk reader; driving the optical disk in a second direction to the samereading location within the disk reader via a second loading mechanismat the second side of the disk reader, the second direction beingopposite the first direction; and reading the second side of the opticaldisk with the disk reader.